The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) dates back to the late 1800s and has its roots firmly in Irish language and culture. Hurling, Gaelic Football and camogie are Ireland's three indigenous Gaelic Games and Casement Park (est. 1953, cap. 32,500) their Belfast home.
Players require healthy doses of skill, speed, stamina and strength. In a nutshell, hurling is a tougher form of hockey with players brandishing thick, wooden 'hurleys' (not the actress), teams of 15 Gaelic Footballers can both kick and run with the ball, scoring points over the crossbar (1) or in goal (3), and camogie is a female version of hurling.
The Gaelic Football season is year-round and its glamour tournament, the All-Ireland Championship, runs from May-Sept with the winning County collecting the Sam Maguire Cup. For details of matches and venues check out the Irish News or Sunday Life newspapers.
Players require healthy doses of skill, speed, stamina and strength. In a nutshell, hurling is a tougher form of hockey with players brandishing thick, wooden 'hurleys' (not the actress), teams of 15 Gaelic Footballers can both kick and run with the ball, scoring points over the crossbar (1) or in goal (3), and camogie is a female version of hurling.
The Gaelic Football season is year-round and its glamour tournament, the All-Ireland Championship, runs from May-Sept with the winning County collecting the Sam Maguire Cup. For details of matches and venues check out the Irish News or Sunday Life newspapers.
